Sheet assembling machine



A. MARCHEV ET AL Nav. 26, 1940.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE Oiginal Filed Jan. 30, 1937 14 Sheets-Sheetl l 'I IIiIIIII New V26, 1940.

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Nov. 26, 1940. A. MARCHI-:v ET Al.

SHE-IET ASSEMBLING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 30, 1937 14 SheelZS-Sheekl 3 NOV- 26, 1940- A. MARCHEV ETAL. 2.222,93

' SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE Griginal Filed Jan. 50, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 26, 1940. A MARCHE-v ET AL 2,222,983

- SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 50, 1937 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 26, l940.- A. MARcHEv l-:TAL

SHEET ASSEMBLIVNG MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original vFiled Jan. 50, 1957.

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Nav. 26, 1940. A. MARCHEV ETAL 2,222,983

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SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 50, 1937 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 fgm MAW@ Nav. 26, 1940. A. MARCHI-v Erm.

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE Oiiginal Filed Jan. 30,4 1937 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 14 Sheets-Sheet 10 A. MARCHEV ETAL SHEET AssEMBLING MACHINE original Filed Jan. so, 1937 Nav. 26, 1940.

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Nw. 26, 1940. A. MARCH@ ETAL 2,222,983

SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 30', 1937 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 NNNMUW Nov. 26, 1940. A. MARcHEv "ET AL SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 50, 1937 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 Nov.26,194o. A MRCHEV ETAL 2,222,983

V SHEET ASSEMBLING MACHINE.:

14 Sheets-Shes?l 14 Original Filed Jan. 50, 1957 Patented Nov. 246, 1940 SHEET ASSEMBLING MA Alfred Marchev, LaGrange, and Cecil C. McCain, Glen Ellyn, Ill., assgnors to Ditto, Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of West Virginia Application January so, 193i, serial N0. 123,176

Renewed February 3, 1940 33 Claims.

Thisrinvention relates to a sheet or card assembling machine which is adapted to take sheets or cards from a suitable source of supply andassemble the sheets together in regular overlapping sequence leaving a portion of each sheet exposed on each side of the assembled group. The machine is particularly useful for assembling groups of sheets with a margin of each sheet exposed to receive "a legend from a master copy which has the several legends arranged thereon in uniformly spaced relationship." v One form of theinvention is'embodied in a machine having means for laying a plurality of sheets of paper one upon another in overlapping relationship. The sheets are individually positioned with respect to the previously laid sheets and temporarily aixed to the previously laid sheet or sheets whereby to maintain the several sheets in correct alignment While they are being more permanently attached to each other. After the several sheetsare positioned and temporarily connected together, they are secured t0- gether in groups by any suitable method such as gluing. One such' method of assembling sheets 2 5 or cards is disclosed in the application of Charles A. Bergsten," Serial No. 98,077, for Card assemblies and method of producing them.

The machine includes means to'assemble the sheets or cards in groups, each group containing of receiving one line of imprinted information,

and by a simple adjustment a second run in which the sheets have exposed margins capable of receiving two or more lines of imprinted information. The number of sheets in each indi- 4D vidual assembly may also be varied at will.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown.

Fig. l is a side elevation of the feeding end lof a machine which embodies the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the discharge end of the improved machine, Fig. 2 being complementary to Fig. 1 so that a complete side elevation is shown in these two iigures.I

. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan elevation of the 5^ improved machine.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig..6 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 6--6 `of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan section taken on line 'l--l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 6. l

Fig. 9 is a. fragmentary plan section taken on 15 line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation looking at the machine from a direction opposite to that in which it is viewed in Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 10 but showing 420 certain parts in changed positions and showing a bracket partly in section.

Fig. 12 is a transverse vertical section taken on line l2--l2 of Fig. 11.

. Fig. 13 is another fragmentary side elevation 25 showing the same mechanism as in Fig. 10 but having certain parts in changed positions and other parts broken away.

Fig. 14 is another fragmentary side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. l0 but showing 30 certain parts in changed positions and other parts broken aw Fig. 15 is a pers ective view of certain mechanism shown in Figs. 13 and 14 and associated with the feeding mechanism. '35

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of certain mechanism shown in Figs. `l3`and 14 and associated with the feeding mechanism. L

Fig. 17 is a view showing part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 10 viewed from the same'40 direction but illustrating certain details of the invention not apparent in Fig. 10.

Fig. 18 is a plan section taken on lline iii-I8 of Fig. l1.

Fig. 19 is a pian section taken on line I9-I9 45 of Fig. l1.

Fig 20 is a perspective view of a combined stop and indicating device forming part vof the improved machine.

Fig. 21 is a plan section taken on line 2I-2I 50 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 22 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 22--22 of Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on line 23-23'of Fig. 21.

Fig. 24 is a transverse vertical section taken online 24-24 of Fig. 21.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary enlarged section taken on line 25-25 of Fig. 4. Fig. 26 is a section taken on line 26-26 oi' Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is an enlarged transverse section taken on line 21-21 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 28 is a plan section taken on line 28-26 Fig. 29 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the same line as Fig. 27 and illustrating the details of the mechanismfor applying the adhesive to the cards.

Fig. 30 is a. perspective view of a complete assembly of cards as they are discharged from the machine, and

Fig. 31 is an enlarged section taken on lin 3I-3I of Fig. 30.

Fig. 32 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 32-32 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 33 is a fragmentary plan view taken on the line 33-33 of Fig. 32, certain partsbeing left out for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 34 is an enlargedv fragmentary sectional view taken on the same line as Fig. 32.

Fig. 35 is a fragmentary plan view of a series of sheets temporarily secured together.

Fig. 36 is a sectional view on the line 36-36 of Fig. 35.

While it has been pointed out above that the assemblies of sheets or cards are particularly adapted to be employed in connection with a master copy or the equivalent, it is to be understood that the exposed strips of the cards or sheets may be printed, Written, or typewritten upon as will be readily understood. In the specication hereinafter, we will refer to the elements that are assembled in overlapping relationship as sheets with the understanding that the term as employed includes cards and is not limited to the material of which the sheets or cards may be made.

Referring now to the drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, the machine as shown comprises a mechanism whereby sheets arranged on edge are placed upon a feeding table I8 and fed intermittently to a conveyor II which delivers the sheets to an assembling and temporary securing mechanism I2. The assembled sheets are delivered from the mechanism I2 to a gluing mechanism I3 and fed by means of suitable conveyors to a drying mechanism I4. From the drying mechanism I4, the sheets are conveyed to a receiver I5. The several mechanisms just described are supported by standards I6, I1, and I8. A rod I9 connects the standards I6 and I1. There are 'two of the standards I6 and two each of the standards I1 and I8. 'Ihe standards I1 are supported by van inverted U-shaped base 28, and the standards I8 are supported by an inverted U- shaped base 2|. A brace 22 is used to brace the standards I8 and connects to a bed 23 which supports the conveying mechanism. 'I'he heating mechanism I4 is in two sections on opposite sides of a belt tightening frame which is supported by suitable standards 24' which are carried upon a base, not shown, which is similar to the base members 28 and 2|. The power for operating the machine is obtained from a motor 25 which is supported by a plate 26. The plate 26 is mounted upon a cross bar 21 which in turn is adjustably secured upon the standards I1.

Referring now to Figs. 6 to 8 in particular, the

standards I1 are adapted to support a bed plate 28. 'Ihe upper ends of the standards I1 are screw threaded as indicated at 29, and the bed plate 28 is apertured tov receive the screw threaded portions 29 of the standards I1. The bed plate 28 is positioned upon the standards I1 by nuts 38 and 3| between which the bed plate is clamped.

A pair of side plates 32 and 33 are secured to the bed plate 28 by angle irons 34 and 35. The plates 32 and 33 are connected at the top by a plate 36. A cross bar 31, shown best in Figs. 4 and 8, also connects the side plates 32 and 33 and serves as the support for the forward end of the conveyor bed 23. The conveyor bed 23 is secured to the cross bar 31 by suitable screw bolts 38. A tie rod 39 is also used at the lower rear corners of the side plates 32 and 33 for securing the plates together. 'I'he conveyor bed 23 has angle irons 48 and 4I extending lengthwise thereof for the purpose ofv reenforcing the bed. Also, the mounting of the side plates 32 and 33 upon the bed plate 28 is reenforced by angle irons v42 and 43, shown best in Figs. 6 and 21. The conveyor bed 23 is also supported at the delivery end of the machine by the standards I8 as shown in Fig. 2, a suitable frame 44 being mounted at the top of the standards I8 and providing the necessary support for the rear end of the bed plate and the conveyor mechanism as well as the sheet receiving means I5.

The standards I6 support a sheet feeding mechanism I8A which is adapted to intermittently feed individual sheets from the feed table I8 to the conveyor Il. The intermittent feed mechanism is shown best in Figs. 1, 4, and 5. 'I'his mechanism is driven from the motor 25 in the following manner:

The motor 25 has a pulley 45 for a belt 46 which in turn drives a pulley 41 on a drive shaft 48, the drive shaft 48 being carried by the side frame 32. This drive shaft carries a pinion 49 meshing with a gear 58 which is fixed upon a4 shaft I that is Journalled in the side frames 32 and 33. The shaft 5I carries a pulley 52 and a disk 53. The disk 53 has a pin 54 eccentricallymounted thereon. A connecting rod 55 connects the pin 54 to a lever 56 of the intermittent sheet feed mechanism I8A. 'Ihe pulley 52 drives a belt 51 which drives a. pulley 58 on a shaft 59 journalled in the standards I6. This shaft 59 carries a pulley 68 which drives a belt 6I that in turn drives a pulley 62 on a shaft 63 rotatably journalled in side frames 64 and 65. The shaft 59 also carries a pulley 68 which drives a belt 61. The belt 61 drives a pulley 68 on a shaft 69. The shaft 63 carries a roller 10 which drives a series of conveyor belts or tapes 1 I. Four spaced tapes 1| are shown. The shaft 68 carries a rubber roller 12. A shaft 13 carries a pair of spaced rubber rollers 14 and 15 which cooperate with the driven roller 12 to advance sheets to the conveyor tapes 1I. The shaft 13 is supported from a tie rod 16 which connects the side frames 64 and 65. The supports for the shaft 13 comprise a pair of arms 11 and 18 pivoted on the tie rod 16 and carrying the shaft 13.

'Ihe sheets on table I8 are fed intermittently to the rollers 12 by an intermittently rotated feed roller 88 which advances them along a guide lip I86a. The roller 88 cooperates with a. pressure roller 8| to draw a sheet 82 from a stack 82a on the table I8. The roller 88 is carried on a shaft 83 journalled in a pair of arms 84 and 85 which are mounted on the side frames 64 and 65.

The shaft 83 and the roller 88 are driven inter- :81, 88, and 89. All of the de tails of this mechanism are not shown because the intermittent i feed mechanism enters into the present invention only as part of the general combination and is not new per se. The specic details of this mechanism are, therefore, not important. Also, it is to be understood that any equivalent mechanism for supplying sheets `may be substituted for that shown.

The conveyor tapes carry the fed sheets to a pair of rollers 99 and 9| at the right hand end of the conveyor The conveyor has side frames 92 and 93 (see Figs. 4 and 8) supported by the frame of the intermittent feed mechanism. The side frames 92 and 93 are connected by a cross bar 94 adjacent the rollers 99 and 9|. Uprights and 96 are mounted on the side frames 92 and 93. The roller 99 is carried by the uprights 95 and 96, and the roller 9| is carried by the side frames 92 and 93. The uprights 95 and 96 also are connected at the top by a Vrod 91. The rod 91 supports a plurality of guide fingers 93 which are bent around the rod 91 (see Fig. 8).

Sheets leaving the conveyor through the rollers 99 and 9| drop upon a positioning table |99. The table |99 is supported from the bed plate 28 by three posts |9|, |92, and |93 (see Figs. 6 and 7). A margin bar |94 is fastened to the table |99 by screws |94' and extends parallel to the line of travel of sheets advanced to the table |99. The sheets are pushed against the margin bar |94 after they are fed to the table |99 by the conveyor I The means for moving the sheets against the margin bar |94 comprises a plurality of ngers which project up through suitable openings |96 and |91 in the table |99. The sheets are positioned in their direction of travel by being moved forward until the forwardedges thereof are positioned in the bight of two sets of' feeding and conveyor driving rollers |98 and |99. The means for pushing the sheets forward to the rollers |98 and |99 comprises a plurality of fingers ||9 projecting up through suitable openings in the table |99. The rollers |98 and |99 and the `fingers |95 and ||9 are intermittently driven in proper timed relation to each other from the motor 25 so that,`after asheet falls upon the table 99 from the conveyor it is rst moved laterally against the margin bar |94 by means of the fingers |95 and is then advanced to the rollers |98 and |99 by means of the fingers H9, the rollers |98 and |99 being stationary during this positioning operation.

When a sheet has been positioned in the fashion just described, the rollers |98 and |99 are then caused to rotate so as to advance the positioned sheet a predetermined amount after which they come to rest in order that a new sheet may be overlapped with the first sheet by positioning it in the same manner as the rst sheet was positioned. This operation is continued until a predetermined group of sheets has been assembled after which this group of sheets is fed forward from the rollers |98 and |99.

Referring now to the operating mechanism for the fingers |95 and ||0 and the rollers |98 and |99, it Will be recalled that the motor 25 is connected by means of the pulleys 45 and 41 and the belt 46 to the shaft 48 which'carries the pinion 49 meshing with the gear 59 on the shaft 5|. The shaft 5| carries a cam ||2 which is adapted to actuate the fingers |95. and a cam ||3 which table |99.

is adapted to actuate the fingers ||9. As shown best in Figs. 8 and 9, the cam ||2 engages a roller ||4 which is carried by a depending flange ||5 of a plate ||6 which is slidably mounted beneath the bed plate 28 of. the machine. The plate ||6 has a plurality of elongated slots ||1 and ||8 which receive headed bolts 9 and |29 for slidably mounting the plate |6 upon the bed plate 28. The plate ||6 has a pin |2| depending therefrom, and this pin is engaged between the bifurcations at one end of an arm |22, the other end of the arm |22 being xed upon a vertically .running shaft `|23 which projects upwardly through lthe bed plate 28 and is journalled at its upper end in the table |99.

Directly beneath the table |90, an arm |24 is secured upon the shaft |23. The arm |24 engages a pin |25 which depends from a plate |26 slidably mounted on the lower surface of the The plate |26 is supported and guided by a pair of bars |21 and |28 secured to the table |99 by suitable screws such as |29 and |39. The plate |26 is reduced in width between the bars |21 and |28 as shown most clearly in Figs. 21 and 23. The plate |26 carries the fingers 95 and is spring pressed 'toward the margin bar` |94 by a spring |3|, one end of which is secured to a pin |32 on the plate |26, and the other end of which is secured to a pin |33 depending from the table For the purpose of eliminating shock and reducing the noise of operation, a rubber block |34 is secured by means of a bar |35 to the lower surface of the table |99 in position to be engaged by the end of the plate |26 as it moves toward the margin bar |94.

In operation, the arm |24 opposes the pull of the spring |31 which tends to move the fingers |95 toward the margin bar |94. As the cam ||2 is shown in Fig. 8, it is in position to hold the lingers |95 in their position most remote from the margin-bar |94, and, inthe position shown -in Fig. '1, the cam ||2 is in the position where it permits the spring |3| to move the fingers |95 and the plate |26 toward the margin bar |99. The spirng 63| is sufficiently strong to carry the arm |24 along with the plate |26 thereby ro.

tating the upright shaft |23 and moving the bifurcated arm |22 from the full line position shown in Fig. 9 to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 9, or in other words to the position shown in Fig. 7.

The mechanism whereby the cam ||3 actuates the fingers |9 comprises a rock shaft |36 carried by the side frames 32 and 33 and having fixed thereon a pair of arms |31 and |38. The arm |38 carries a roller |39 which rides on the surface of the cam I3. A spring |49 has one end secured to the arm |38, and the other lend secured to a pin |4| on the bed plate 28, and is under tension so as to hold the roller |39 against the cam ||3 at all times. At the upper end thereof, the` arms |31 and |38 are connected by a pair of links |42 and |43 to a pair of depending lugs |44 and |45 of a plate |45. The plate |46 is slotted at |41 and |48 to receive a pair of guiding and supporting bars |49 and |59, these bars being secured to the undersurface of the table |99 so as to slidably mount the plate |46 on the table |99. Suitable screws |51 and |52 secure the bars |49 and |59 in place.

otherwise secured on the plate |46, doubled back upon themselves, and passed through theopen-` ings in the table |99. The cam ||3 in the po- The fingers ||9 are strips welded or ||0 against the tension of the spring |40 so that the fingers ||0 are back ready to receive a sheet between them and the rollers |08 and |09. As the cam |`|3 rotates, the roller |39 will be permitted to move closer to the axis of the cam thereby permitting the spring |40 to draw the arms |31 and |38 toward the body plate 28andadvance the fingers ||0 toward rollers |08 and |09.

Referring now to the rollers |08 and |09 and the mechanism for operating them, the rollers |08 are carried by a main shaft |5| which is journalled in the side frames 32 and 33 and are adapted to be intermittently rotated in timed relation to the other mechanism in a manner which will be presently described. The rollers |08 are made up of a plurality of rollers some of which act as direct feed rollers and others of which act as pulleys for conveyor belts or tapes to carry the assembled paper sheets on through the machine. As illustrated best in Figs. 6, 7, and 21, the rollers |08 comprise spaced rubber rollers |52, |53, |54, and |55, each fixed to the shaft |5|. A steel pulley. or roller |56 is interposed between the rubber rollers |52 and |53, and a steel roller |51 is interposed between the rubber rollers |54 and |55. The rollers |56 and |51 are, of course, fixed to the shaft |5|. A pair of conveyor belts or tapes |58 and |59 extend around the rollers |56,"and |51, respectively.

A gear wheel |60 is fixed on the shaft |5| just inside the frame 32. A gear wheel |6| is fixed on the shaft |5| outside the frame 33. The gear wheel |60 meshes with a smaller gear wheel |62 journalled on a stub shaft |63. The stub shaft |63 is provided with a reduced portion |64 which extends through the side frame 32 and is screw threaded to receive a nut |65. 'I'he gear wheel |62 is coupledby an adjustable coupling to a shaft |66. As shown best in Figs. 25 and 26, the adjustable coupling comprises a pair of pins |61 and |68 on the gear wheel |62, a disk |69 having a slot |10 receiving the pins |61 and |68 and having a slot |1| at right angles to slot |10 in the opposite side of said disk from the slot 10, a

flange |12 formed on a collar |13 fixed on the shaft |66 and having a pair of pins |14 and |15 riding in the slot |1|. The several pins are provided With bearing sleeves |16 and |11 (shown in Fig. 26 on pins |61 and 68). This coupling provides for limited off center movement of the shaft |66 with respect to the gear |62.

The shaft 66 carries four rollers |18, |19, |80, and |8| vertically aligned with the rubber rollers |52, |53, |54, and |55 and cooperate with them to advance sheets and to act as a stop for the sheets. The shaft 66 is guided by a pair of bifurcated guide blocks |82 and |83 which are bolted to the top plate 36. A spring |84 presses on the shaft |66 at the block |82, and a spring |85 presses on the shaft |66 at the block |83. The shaft 66 moves vertically as the thickness of paper increases between the rollers |52, |53, |54, and |55 on the lower side and the rollers |18, |19, |80, and |8'| carried by the shaft |66. This is best shown by Fig. 34. The adjustable coupling between the shaft |66 and the gear |62 permits this vertical movement without interfering with the rotation of the shaft |66.

The mechanism by which the gears |60 and |62 are driven from the motor 25 is shown generally in Figs. 4, 6, and 7, and more in detail in Figs. 10 to 20 inclusive. The shaft 5|, which is continuously driven by the motor 25, carries a disk |86 upon which an arm |81 is fixed. The arm |8`|` is connected by a link |88 to one end of a lever |89.

The lever |89 is pivoted upon an extension |90 of the main shaft |5| so as to be rocked about the shaft as an axis by the rotation of the disk |86. Referring now to Figs. 10, 11, and 12, in particular, the lever |89 carries a pair of pawis |9| and |92, these pawis being arranged side by side on a stub shaft |93 and spring pressed by springs |94 and |95. The shaft |6| also carries a ratchet wheel |96 with which the pawis |9| and |92 engage. 'I'he ratchet wheel |96 is keyed to the shaft |5|.

Means are provided whereby the amount of ro-l tation of the ratchet wheel |96 for each oscillation of the pawl lever |89 can be controlled so as to give a step by step rotation of the shaft |5| and the rollers carried by this shaft and by the shaft |66. For this purpose, a plate |91 is mounted between the ratchet wheel |96 and the side frame 32. The plate |91 has a camming surface |98 which projects beyond the teeth of the ratchet wheel |96 a sufiicient amount to prevent the pawl |92 from engaging the ratchet wheel until it rides over the plate |91. For example, in Fig. 11 the pawl |92 has gone beyond the cam surface |98 of the plate |91 and has dropped down into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel |96. In Fig. 13, the pawl |92 is riding on the camming surface |98 and, therefore, does not engage the ratchet wheel. The plate |91 is slotted at |99 to receive a stud 200 which carries a nut 20| for fastening the plate in any adjusted position.

A scale is formed on the plate |91 at 202, and the edge of the plate is notched at 203 to receive a pin 204 slidably mounted in a bracket 205 on the side frame 32. The pin 204 has a knurled head 206 and may be suitably spring pressed by a spring (not shown) in a barrel 201 so as to be urged into one of the notches 203 as will be readily understood. When the plate |91 is set, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, one rotation of the disk |86 will advance the ratchet wheel only the distance across two teeth of the ratchet wheel, and this will, of course, rotate the shafts |5| and |66 a corresponding amount, thereby providing spacing for two lines of typing ony the overlapping edges of the sheets. For a greater rotation of the ratchet wheel for each rotation of the disk |86, the plate |91 is adjusted about the extension of the shaft |5|.

Means are provided whereby a number of sheets may be grouped together in overlapped relation as the shafts |5| and |66 are advanced step by step. qithin each group, however, the

amount of adva ce of the shaft |5| determines the width of margin exposed for each sheet because the machine is so timed that the sheets are fed and positioned on the table |00 while the shafts |5| and |66 are stationary and the advancement of the sheets by the rollers on the shafts |5| and |66 occurs while there is no sheet being positioned on the table |00.

In order that the groups of sheets assembled I in overlapped relationship may be separated at the time they leave the rollers on the shafts |5| and |66 and advance under the infiuence of the tapes |58 and |59, the mechanism is so arranged that at predetermined intervals the ratchet wheel |96 is given a rotational movement which corresponds to the full angular movement of the lever |89. The mechanism whereby this movement takes place is shown most lclearly in Figs. 10 to 20 inclusive.

It will be noted that the pawl |9| in Figs. 10 and 11 is shown as resting upon a projection 208 which is formed upon a plate 209 that is pivoted upon the extension shaft and is connected by means of a spring 2|0 and pins 2|| and 2|2 on the lever |89 and the plate 209, respectively, to the lever |89. The plate 209 also carries a pin 2|3 on a radially projecting portion 2| 4 thereof. The spring 2|0 is under tension so as to normally hold the plate 209 and the lever |89 in the relative positions shown in Figs. 10 and l1 where a pin 209A on the plate 209 engages the lever |89. A third plate 2|5 is loose on the shaft extension |90 and carries a pin 2||S which projects toward theplate 209 so as to be engaged by a portion 2 of the plate 209 at the limit of motion. 'I'he plate 2|5 also carries a pin 2|8 which is on the side toward the lever |89 and engages the lever` |89 when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 10.

The plates 209 and 2i5 with the parts thereof just described cooperate with a vertical bar 2|9 and a pair of pawls 220 and 22| to control the number of sheets that are placed in any group before the shaft l5! is actuated to advance the assembled group out of the way of the next succeeding group. The bar 2|@ has ratchet teeth 222 thereon engaged with the pawls 220 and 22|. The bar 2|9 is slidable vertically on aguide member 223 that is mounted upon the side frame 32. The guide member Y223 has a recess 224 in the side thereof in which the bar 2|@ is free to slide vertically. A block 225 also fits in the recess 222 and is secured to the member 223 by'v screws 221. The member 223 provides a vertical guide also'for an adjustable member 229 which is used to determine the number of sheets that would be assembled in any particular group.

The member 228 is in the form of an angle iron having a vertically running slot 229 therein, and a bolt 239 is screw threaded into the member 223 to provide a guide and locking member whereby the member 228 can be adjusted vertically on the member 223 and secured in any adjusted position by tightening the bolt 230. A washer 23| is interposed lbetween the head of the bolt 230 and the member 223. -An indicating plate 232 is mounted on the side frame 32 alongside the member 223, and a pointer 233 is secured on the member 228 to cooperate with the indicating plate 232 as will be readily understood. A handle 234 is provided adjacent the lower end of the member 223 for raising and lowering it. At the upper end, the member 228 is provided with a bar '235 which is riveted thereto by rivets 239 and which is turned .toward the ratchet bar 2|9 at its upper end as indicated at 237. A rubber bumper 23B is secured'to theinturned portion 231 o1 the bar 235. 'I'he ratchet bar 2| 9 also is provided with a bumper 239 which is adapted to engage the bumper 238 and to limit the downward movement of the bar 2|9.

The position of the bar 2|9 when it is stopped sheets in the assembled groups. Assuming that this adjustment has been made, the mechanism by which the bar 2|9 is caused to control a number of sheets in a group will now be described.

The shaft 5| carries a cam 240 which is between the disk |88 and the frame 32 of the ma.- chine. The cam 240 engages a roller 24| on a mounted in the side frame 32. The lever 242 carries the pawl 22| so that, as the cam 240 rotates, the pawl 22| is moved up and down. A spring 244 connects the lower end of the pawl 22| to the lever 242, a. projection 245 being provided on the lower end of the pawl, and a pro- Jection 246 being provided on the lever 242 for this purpose. cam 240 by a spring 241 which has one end secured to a pin 248 on the frame 32 and the other end secured to a pin 249 on the lever 242. The pawl 22| rides upon the edge of the member 223 lever 242 which' is pivoted upon a stud 243 The roller 24| is held lagainst the which is bevelled, as shown at 250 at the top, so

as to permit the pawl to engage the teeth on the barv 2|9 and raise the bar the distance between successive teeth for each rotation of the cam 240. As the bar 2|9 is raised, the pawl 220, which is a holding pawl pivoted by means of a pin 25| on the frame 32, merely rides out on a tooth of the bar 2|9 and drops beneath the tooth so as to prevent the bar from dropping back after it has been raised. A spring 252 holds the pawl 220 against the bar 2|9.

In the normal operation of assembling a group of sheets together, each rotation of the shaft 5| carries the lever |89 through one cycle of operations so as to advance the ratchet wheel |96 and with it the shaft i5! one step. At the same time this action takes place, the cam 240 causes the pawl 22| to lift the ratchet wheel 2|`9 one step, and the pawl 220 holds the ratchet wheel in this raised position. 'I'his action continues until the bumper 239 on the ratchet bar 2|9 reaches a level where it engages the pin 2|3 on the plate 209, as shown in Figs; 13 and 16, and holds the plate 209, against the tension of the spring 2|0, from following the lever |89. When this occurs, there is suilicient lost motion between the lever |99 and the plate 299 to cause the lever |89 to carry the pawl |9| od of the projection 209 and permit the pawl |9| to drop down into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet Wheel |96 before the lever |99 reverses its direction of movement. Thonon the advance stroke of the lever |29, the pawl |9| moves the ratchet wheel |99 with it and holds the plate 209 in the same position relative to the lever |89 as is shown in Fig. 13 until the parts reach the position shown in Fig. la. This movement results in turning the shaft |5|l and its associated rollers together with the shaft |83 through a suiilcient angle to move the last sheet of the group which has just been assembled'through the rollers and onto the conveyor tapes, thereby clearing the table |00 so that a new group of sheets may be started.

The advance movement of the lever |89 just described also causes the plate 209 to press against the pin 2|3 on the plate 2| 5 and rock the plate 2| 5 about the shaft extension |90 as a pivot. The plate 2|5carries an inturned lip 253 which is moved up against the pawl 220 and forces the pawl out away from thebar 2|9 as shown in Fig. 14. The pawl 220 being released, the bar 2|9 is free to fall and drops back until the bumpers 238 and 239 stop it, thereby automatically resetting the bar 2|9 for a new group #of sheets. In order to maintain the plate 2|5 in alignment, it is provided witha pin 254 which rides in a slot 235 of a plate 253 that is xed upon the side frame 32 by screws 257 and is bent outwardly and then upwardly as illustrated best in Figs. 7 and 10. I

The lever, |88 in its reverse movement returns theparts to starting position'shown in Fig. l0. 75

and, as the pawl |9| is forced out over the teeth of the ratchet wheel |96, it moves out far enough to engage the rounded portion of the projection 208 on the plate 209 and permit the projection 208 to again move under the pawl I 9|. As the lever |89 reaches the limit of its movement in the reverse direction, it engages the pin 2|8 on the plate 2|5 and pushes the plate 2|5 back into normal resting position thereby releasing the pawl 220 so it may again engage the teeth on the ratchet bar 2|9.

In the feeding of the assembled sheets through the rollers |52 to |55 and the rollers |18 to |8I, and in the subsequent handling thereof before they are nally secured together, it would completely destroy the utility of the groups of .sheets if any sheet could get out of register with respect to the other sheets. The present machine provides means whereby this danger is overcome by temporarily securing the sheets to each other as each individual sheet is positioned with respect to the preceding sheets and when the rollers have advanced the newly positioned sheets from the point where it is left by the assembling and positioning fingers |05 and ||0.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 32 to 36 inclusive, the mechanism whereby the sheets are fixed together temporarily to prevent theirbecoming separated while passing through the machine and to subsequently aid in holding them in alignment willbe described. A pair of shaft supporting brackets 258 and 259 are mounted on top of the top plate 36 and support a rock shaft 260. The rock shaft 260 has xed thereto a pair of arms 26| and 262. Each of the arms 26| and 282 has an elongated aperture 263 therein which aperture receives a pin 264 that passes through the upper end 265 of a pricking device 266. The pricking devices 266 aie simply elongated rods 40 provided with reduced sharp points 261, the rods 266 being guided in bearing blocks 268 secured beneath the top plate 36 by bolts 269 (see Fig. 32). It will be evident that, by rocking the shaft 260 between the full line and dotted line posi- 45 tions shown in Fig. 32, the pricking devices 286 will be moved between the two positions shown in Fig. 32.

The result of sticking the sharp points 261 through the sheets is illustrated best by the 50 showing in Figs. 34, 35, and 36 where the opening formed in the sheets is shown to distort the sheets and interlock them together. As shown best by Fig. 36, the point 261 in passing through a sheet of paper tends to distort the paper and 55 form a projection P on the lower side of the sheet. Where two sheets are overlapped, these projections P cause an interlock because the distortion of the material has the effect of enlarging the upper end of the opening formed in the o sheet as indicated at R in Fig. 36. Therefore, the projection at the lower side of the top sheet vwill wedgev down into the enlarged opening at the top surface of the lower sheet. This action continues as the sheets overlap forming a temporary but very effective connection between the sheets which prevents one of them from slipping 4with respect to the other, and preventing the sheets from being moved out of their registered position with respect to each other except by actually 70 lifting the sheets apart in a direction transverse to their surfaces. The pricking devices 266 are arranged directly in alignment with the tapes 58 and |59 on steel rollers |56 and |51 so that the sheets will have a somewhat yielding back- 75 ing where the pricklng devices strike them.

It is highly essential that the sheets at the time of being prlcked together be properly registered. The gear |6| is utilized for the purpose of locking the shaft |5| and its rollers against movement during the pricking operation so they will not displace the sheets. The shaft 260 is driven by means of an arm 210 fixed on the shaft, a link 21|, a pivoted bar 212 to which the link 21| is secured, a roller 213 on the bar 212, and a cam 214 on the shaft 5|. The bar 212 is pivoted at 215 on a bracket 216 mounted on the side frame 33 and carries a V-shaped tooth 211 engaging in V-shaped recesses between the teeth of the gear wheel |6I. A springn218 is connected to the end of the bar212 opposite the tooth 211 and is secured to a pin 219 on the side cam 214 with respect to the other controlling' cams carried by the shaft 5| is such that the roller 213 rides upon the small part of the cam 214 during the time that the shaft |5| is stationary, and the roller 213 rides up upon the larger part of the cam 214 to withdraw the pricking devices 266 before the shaft |5| starts to move. The tooth 211 cooperating with the gear wheel |6| serves as a positive lock to lock the shaft |5| stationary during the pricking operation. Moreover, the wedging of the tooth 211 between the gear teeth on the gear |6| ac'- curately sets the rollers |08 and |09 every time a new sheet has been positioned and the pricking devices are lbrought down to puncture the sheet. The two pricking devices 266, being spaced apart a substantial distance and being in alignment with the tapes |58 and |59, secure the several sheetstogether at the place where they are most apt to be drawn apart in passing through the machine, that is the place where they are contacted by the feeding tapes |58 and |59.

The assembled sheets are advanced as they leave ,the rollers |08 and |09 by the conveyor tapes |58 and |59 and cooperating tapes or belts 280 and 28| which are guided by a. plurality of pairs of rollers 282, 283, 284, etc. At the rear end of the machine, as shown in Fig. 2, the conveyor tapes |59 and |59 pass around rollers 285 on a shaft 286. This shaft also carries a gear 281 which meshes with a gear 288 on a shaft 289 which also carries rollers for the conveyor tapes 280 and 28| thus assuring that the conveyor tapes 280 and 28| will move in unison with the tapes |58 and |59.

As the sheets are carried along by the tapes |58 and |59 and 280 and 28|, they are glued together along one side edge as described in the Bergsten application hereinbefore mentioned. The sets of rollers 282, 283, and 284 are mounted as shown in Fig. 27. Each pair of rollers is carried by a shaft 290 which is guided in slots 29| and 292 of a pair of angle irons 293 and 294. A pair of pressure blocks 295 and 296 are suspended from the angle irons 293 and 294 by pins 291 and 298. A spring 299 forces the pressure block 295 down upon the shaft 290, and a spring 300 likewise presses the block 296 down on the shaft 290. It is not necessary that all of the sets of rollers such as 282 be spring pressed, but those immediately preceding and adjacent to the gluing mechanism I3 preferably are provided with the spring mechanism so as to cause the tapes 280 and 28| to press the sheets firmly together and thereby aid in holding the sheets interlocked by keeping the punched portions P of the sheets under pressure. The angle iron 

